"Eh? What is it, Dellow?" said the captain sharply, for the first mate
appeared at the door of the cabin.

"We want to know what's to be done," said the mate.

"What about?" asked the captain. "What's the matter?"

"Three arrows have come aboard since you came down."

"Were you able to see who shot them?" said the captain.

"No."

"Is there any wind?"

"Not enough to fill a sail," was the mate's response.

"Humph! and it's no use to drop down lower, because I expect the Indians
have canoes. Keep the men all under cover of the bulwarks, and you and
Lynton can take a couple of rifles and amuse yourselves shooting any
wild beasts you see on the starboard bow. But mind you all keep well
under cover. You understand?"

"Oh, yes, I understand," said the mate, smiling in a peculiar way; and
he went to the arms rack and took down two rifles and ammunition-belts
for the second mate and himself.

"Hold hard a minute," said the captain. "Just understand this, Dellow:
if they leave you alone you leave them alone. If they don't they must
take the consequences."

"I understand," said the mate coolly. "How's Sir Humphrey going on,
sir? Is there any danger?" This was to Brace.

"The captain and Mr Briscoe think there is nothing to be alarmed
about," was the reply. "I hope they are right."

"So does everybody, sir," said the mate warmly. "He seems to be
sleeping easy like."

Brace nodded.

"Well, he wouldn't be doing so if poison had got hold of him."

"Right, Dellow," said the captain, nodding his head with satisfaction.
"Look here, squire, you try and make your mind a bit easy."

"I am going to," replied Brace.

"Well, then, let Sir Humphrey have a good sleep while you go on deck
with Dellow here, and take your rifle with you too. You're a good shot,
and ought to be able to bring some of those foreign archers to their
senses."

"I came to collect natural-history specimens," said Brace warmly. "I
don't want to slaughter ignorant savages."

"Then you don't believe in that Italian law?" said the captain, with a
chuckle.

"Which Italian law do you mean?" said Brace, staring.

"Well, Roman-Latin then, if you like. It's all the same, isn't it--old
Italian _Lex talionis_. That means, serve out the chap who has served
you out, don't it?"

"Something of the kind," said Brace, smiling. "No, I don't want to take
revenge on those who are perhaps innocent."

"Just as you like, sir," said the capta